Black Cohosh
Black cohosh grows in the woods of eastern North AmericaGinkgo Biloba
Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.Dong Quai
Dong Quai is often referred to as "the female ginseng"Ginseng
The Chinese word "rénshén" means "man root" in EnglishRed Clover
Originates from Asia, parts of Northern Africa, and Central EuropeSoy
Traditionally used in the Orient as a source of protein and medicineVitex
Vitex agnus-castus is also called chaste treeMacafem
Originates from the Andean mountains of Perú

The Benefits of Donq Quai as an Alternative to Ginseng

Known as the female ginseng, Dong quai is a popular alternative remedy to common symptoms of menopause like fatigue and mood swings. It gets its nickname from a chemical structure similar to that of ginseng. In fact, the two herbs are used to treat many of the same ailments.

However, contrary to ginseng - which is most used for its treatment of fatigue and low vitality - Dong quai is most well known for easing menstrual pain and menopausal symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about Dong quai and its usefulness for treating the symptoms of menopause.

Origins of Dong Quai

Dong quai has been used for centuries in Chinese, Korean and Japanese medicine, primarily for the treatment of health conditions in women. Today it remains highly popular in East Asia, and is currently gaining ground in the West due to its reported estrogenic properties. The effectiveness of Dong quai for maintaining hormonal balance during menopause has been disputed, though many women have claimed beneficial effects.

How Does Dong Quai Relieve Symptoms of Menopause?

Menopausal women primarily use Dong quai as a source of phytoestrogens, plant hormones thought to mimic estrogen in the body. By creating hormonal balance in a time of fluctuating estrogen levels, Dong quai is thought to relieve common menopausal symptoms like:

As a natural sedative, Dong quai is used to treat menopausal symptoms like excessive stress and insomnia. The herb is also thought to boost blood flow, reducing fatigue and promoting healthy circulation in women going through menopause.

What are the Side Effects of Dong Quai?

If you are taking any prescription medications, it is best to talk to your doctor before consuming Dong quai. Women should avoid taking the herb with other herbal supplements, as negative side effects could result.

Making a Decision

Because so little verified information about the effectiveness of Dong quai is available, deciding whether it is right for you in the treatment of your menopausal symptoms can be difficult. Fortunately, simple life style changes like improved diet and exercise may help you relieve symptoms without the need for herbal remedies. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, however, you may want to ease Dong quai into your diet and observe its effects.

Dong Quai
Is an Asian plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat gynecological problems, blood disorders, and as a sedative.

Ginkgo Biloba
Is a popular and ancient Chinese herbal remedy used to improve circulation, mental performance, and menopause symptoms.

Ginseng
Is a root widely used by Chinese, Koreans and Native Americans as a preventative treatment and to increase vitality.

Soy
Is a healthy, low-fat source of protein and is used as treat menopause because of its high amount of phytoestrogens.

Red Clover
Is a variety of Clover with a high nutritional value and it's widely used as an immune-booster and menopause relief, but it has some side effects.

Black Cohosh
Is a phytoestrogenic herb from eastern North America and it is used as a supplement to treat several illnesses, including menopause symptoms.

Vitex
Used since roman times to help women with hormonal imbalances, but pregnant women should avoid it.

Which herb should women try? Today women are looking for relief from their menopause symptoms with herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs and non-estrogenic herbs are good in relieving menopause symptoms, but recent studies show that non-estrogenic herbs have no side effects because they help the body to produce its own hormones instead of introducing hormones like the phytoestrogenic ones.
Learn more about non-estrogenic herbs for menopause.

The content of these informational pages are for educational purpose and health care support only and does not intend to be used for diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.